§ 2. Mr. Geraint Howellsasked the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list the total national subsidies and other direct aids to farmers in Wales outside EEC measures during the last year; what were the corresponding figures for the previous years; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. John MorrisAs the answer to this Question is fairly long and detailed, I shall arrange for a full reply to be included in the Official Report. The expenditure shown reflects the determinations made following the Annual Review of Agriculture 1975, although it is not possible in all cases to provide separate figures for Wales.
§ Mr. HowellsAs a great deal of money comes from EEC funds, is the right hon. and learned Gentleman satisfied with the common agricultural policy? If not, what fundamental changes would he like
| Financial Year | ||||
| 1974–75 | 1975–76 | |||
| £m. | £m. | |||
| WALES | ||||
| 1. Implementation of Price Guarantees | … | … | * | * |
| 2. Production Grants and Subsidies: | … | … | ||
| Lime Subsidy | … | … | 0.29 | 0.28 |
| Calf Subsidy | … | … | 4.6 | 5.5 |
| Beef Cow Subsidy | … | … | 1.8 | 0.31 |
| Oil for Horticulture | … | … | * | * |
| 3. Capital and Other Improvements: | … | … | ||
| Farm Capital Grant Scheme | … | … | 6.9 | 6.8 |
| Horticulture Capital Grant Scheme | … | … | 0.007 | 0.054 |
| Other Grants for Horticultural Improvements | … | … | 0.085 | 0.009 |
| Co-operation Grants | … | … | 0.015 | 0.023 |
| Grants and Loans for Improvements of Farm Structure | … | … | 0.7 | 0.5 |
| Farm Business Recording Scheme | … | … | 0.03 | 0.017 |
| 4. Support for Agriculture in Special Areas (A): | … | … | ||
| Grants for Improvement of Livestock Rearing Land | … | … | 0.14 | 0.4 |
| Hill Cattle and Hill Sheep Subsidies (B) | … | … | 14.47 | 0.11 |
| Winter Keep Grants (B) | … | … | 2.62 | 0.002 |
| 5. Miscellaneous Grants and Subsidies (C) | … | … | * | * |
| 6. Brucellosis Eradication: | … | … | ||
| Incentive Payments (estimated) | … | … | 4.2 | 3.4 |
| *Separate figures for Wales not available. |
§ Corresponding figures for earlier years are shown in Table 51 of the Annual Digest of Welsh Agricultural Statistics 1973–74, a copy of which has been sent to the hon. Member.
1074§ to see that would be beneficial to Welsh agriculture?
§ Mr. MorrisAs I said in a speech at Aberystwyth only a fortnight ago, in which I expressed my disquiet, I am far from satisfied with the CAP. We need reforms that will ensure that we are able to place emphasis in the right places and carry out the proposals for agriculture in our White Paper. We also need to avoid building up the mountains and lakes of commodities that are not required by Europe.
§ Mr. RoderickIs my right hon. and learned Friend aware that, apart from the need for a major change in the CAP, the major bone of contention in my constituency is the nonsensical poultry marketing regulation of the Community? Will he take steps to ensure that we have an opportunity to vote on this matter in the House and to stop it?
§ Mr. MorrisI am sure that my hon. Friend's remarks will be drawn to the attention of the Leader of the House, to whom, I understand, he will also be making representations.
§ The information is as follows: